Pop-up protection at one-day immunisation clinic

THE City of Greater Bendigo (COGB) is partnering with the private Melbourne-based Family Immunisation and Travel Specialists (FITS) clinic to stage a pop-up travel immunisation centre on Monday 26 May at the Strathdale Community Hub.

The clinic will specifically provide local access to the BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine, a live vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis (TB), particularly in babies and young children.

COGB acting community and environment manager Sue Harrison said these types of immunisations are recommended for those travelling to countries with a high incidence of TB such as Indonesia, South Africa and Mongolia.

“People living in regional Victoria normally need to travel to Melbourne to get their travel immunisations,” she said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for parents with young children who are intending to travel overseas to these countries in the future to receive the necessary travel vaccines in Greater Bendigo.

“Families will also have access to the free, regular National Immunisation Program and flu vaccines provided by the City of Greater Bendigo (on the day).”

The FITS clinic is Victoria’s largest private travel clinic for kids, comprising a team of paediatricians and immunisation nurses who specialise in travel medicine and immunisation.

The clinic takes place from 9am and 4pm on Monday 26 May at the Strathdale Community Centre, 155 Crook Street, Strathdale.

Patients must obtain a referral from their GP to attend and must book online as soon as possible via the FITS clinic website.

Those booking for more than one child can make a separate appointment for each of them. Any additional family members will be bulk-billed with a valid referral but a booking fee for each child still applies.